Things Received in December

Thanks so much for your warm welcome to Mrs. Quilt Dad in the last post. She had been wary to write a post thus far, but really got into it and LOVED checking the comments to see how everyone responded. I hope it won't be too long until we get her back with another guest post! (Although I guess I'll have to surrender some sewing machine time so that she can make something else to blog about. Hmmmm ...)

December was such a crazy month in the Quilt Dad home that I just realized I forgot to post about some of the things I received leading up to the holidays. So crazy, in fact, that I even took pictures of these things, uploaded them, and edited them ... then promptly forgot all about the final step of blogging about them. Until today.

First up, I received the giveaway prize from Michelle that I had previously blogged about. Along with the four embroidered squares, Michelle sent some additional festive holiday fabric, ribbon, and chocolate (yum!). The four charm packs pictured are my own, shown here because I think I will combine the sweet embroidered Santas into a quilt with these Merry & Bright and Holly Jolly fabrics. For 2009. Maybe.

I also received my Holiday Booty Swap package from Sharon. Now see if you can follow this: I actually had Sharon as my secret partner in the Doll Quilt Swap (quilt shown here) while, at the same time and unbeknownst to either of us, she had me as her secret partner for the Booty Swap. Needless to say, I think we were both confused when we received packages from each other ... and sent packages to each other ... for two different swaps at the exact same time (cue Twilight Zone music ...)

Sharon sent an adorable little holiday quilt, "First Snow", that was prominently displayed in our living room throughout the season. Check out those awesome little snowflake button embellishments! Sharon included some great extras, like those homespun patches shown above. I can't wait to find just the right project to use them. Suggestions welcome!

Finally, there aren't too many of us guy quilt bloggers out there, so I want to be sure I support one of my cohorts. I believe all of us straddle the line between quilter and artist, with some falling more on one side of the fence than the other. Scott over at Blue Nickel Studios is one of those quilters for whom I believe the ARTIST side is immediately apparent. He's been making some really great quilts and quilt patterns lately for the nice people at Free Spirit fabrics, including new designs for Jay McCarroll and Anna Maria Horner.

One of Scott's fabric designs, "Punk Andy", is in contention for Fabric of the Week over at Spoonflower. Please take a look and CLICK HERE to vote and support Scott in his new endeavor.